Baltimore (WBFF) — Calls for the Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools Dr. Sean Bulson to resign appear to be strengthening following a report by the Maryland Inspector General for Education.
The IG’s report helps clarify what happened during a 2024 taxpayer funded work trip the superintendent took to New Orleans. But some important details are still missing.
Harford County State Delegate Lauren Arikan says the report reinforces her belief that Dr. Bulson cannot continue as superintendent.
“No. Absolutely not. No,” stated Arikan. “Trust has been broken here, and I don’t think it can be regained.”
Arikan called for Dr. Bulson’s resignation last week, after Project Baltimore released a recording from 2024 where a caller reported a theft to New Orleans Police.
Dispatch answers the call, “New Orleans non-emergency line. How can I help you?”
The caller responds, “Hi. I need to report a theft.”
The police call from April 6, 2024, first obtained by Project Baltimore, has sent a shockwave through Harford County Public Schools.
In the recording, the caller who identified himself as Sean Bulson told police that around 2AM, a woman in a green dress, who he let into his hotel room, stole about $8,000 in items which included a laptop and phones. The caller did not know the woman’s name.
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Now, via the IG’s report, Project Baltimore is getting a better understanding of what happened.
“It’s embarrassing. And it’s enraging,” explained Arikan.
In the report, released on Monday, the IG, Rick Henry, confirmed the Sean Bulson who made the call to police was HCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson who was in New Orleans on a taxpayer funded work trip. The IG explained on the morning of April 6, 2024, Bulson woke up and thought his items were stolen. Using the phone of Deputy Superintendent Eric Davis, Bulson first called “his wife.” He then called New Orleans Police to report the alleged theft.
Bulson, according to the IG, reported the items missing to his school district’s IT Department. Bulson also notified then-Board President Dr. Aaron Poynton of the alleged theft.
After Bulson returned to Maryland, according to the IG, Marriott’s hotel security recovered Bulson’s items, which were found in the safe in the room where Bulson stayed. On April 12, Marriott shipped the items back to Bulson.
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The report goes on to explain that Poynton and Bulson did not inform the full board of what happened. The board, the IG found, was not made aware until “Fox45” obtained the “audio recording” and emailed the members.
The IG’s report does not mention who the woman in the green dress was and why she was in Bulson’s hotel room at 2 in the morning – a hotel room paid for by taxpayers.
Frustrated taxpayers spoke out during Monday’s Harford County Board of Education meeting (WBFF)
“We’d all like to know, the story, the real story. And I would encourage Dr. Bulson to come forward and share it,” said Arikan. “When you’re leading children and your whole job is about how to help improve the lives of children, I think we hold you to a much higher standard.”
Days after Project Baltimore released the audio of the police call, School Board President Dr. Aaron Poynton resigned. In a statement Dr. Poynton explained his “workload has increased” and he is “unable to give appropriate attention” to his “family” and “professional responsibilities.” Project Baltimore can also confirm Deputy Superintendent Eric Davis has been placed on administrative leave. So has Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson.
But Arikan wants to see Bulson no longer employed by HCPS.
The Inspector General for Education, on Monday, released a report on HCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson (WBFF)
“I think the board should terminate him. He needs to be terminated,” Arikan told Project Baltimore. “And then we need to start the hunt to find a new superintendent that really reflects the values of our community. And that will stay more focused on improving the outcomes and really the basic skills kids need.”
Dr. Dyann Mack is currently serving as the interim superintendent. Dr. Bulson’s contract is set to expire on June 30 of this year. The next Harford County Board of Education meeting is January 26 where, if Dr. Bulson is still employed by HCPS, it is expected the board will vote on his future as superintendent.
Follow Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst on X and Facebook. Send news tips to cjpapst@sbgtv.com
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